Quick and Easy Buying Guide
Carat weight: 1 carat = 200 milligrams = 6.5 mm diameter. Doubling weight doesn't double diameter.
Diamond clarity: FL/IF/VVS/VS = super expensive, near perfect. SI = best value if you can check a photo for obvious inclusions (defects).
Color: D-G = colorless, expensive, only if you have money to burn. H-J = best value. Can go lower in gold metal settings than white metal.
Cut: Better cut ratings let more light into a diamond, making it sparkle more. Very important property, don't skimp here.
Set a budget and minimum cut (Premium). Go J color for gold and I/H for white metals. Go searching for SI1/SI2 clarity diamonds at James Allen. Pick a diamond with small/no inclusions. Choose a ring setting and buy it risk-free (60-day returns).
Scott Kay Rings
If you've browsed a number of engagement ring sites, you may have seen Scott Kay mentioned. He has a very flashy website with a range of general jewellery and bridal jewellery as well as other fashion items.
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Scott Kay attended the Manhattan Fashion Institute of Technology, which initially rejected him. He fought back and demonstrated his talent and was admitted.
He is widely credited with creating the current level of interest in Platinum as a ring material, rather than yellow or white gold. More recently he has been promoting Palladium as a hypoallergenic hard and white metal suitable for rings and other jewellery. He is also outspoken about modern engagement issues like engagement rings for men.
If you have been searching for a slightly higher carat gold in your ring, you may be interested to know that Scott Kay rings can use 19 carat yellow gold, which is one carat higher than a typical 18 carat ring, and significantly higher than 14 carat rings.
As a jewellery designer, you don't buy
directly through Scott Kay, but rather through any of a number of retailers
throughout North America. You can go to his website, ScottKay.com, and find a
list of store locations where his jewellery can be purchased.